Hitzfeld, who guided Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich to victory in the Champions League, said he felt “pride” at what Switzerland had achieved here, reaching the knock-out stage. “These are strong emotions, emotions you only have in football,’’ he said. “That's why we love it. Switzerland will have got sympathy from around the world and that makes us proud.

“Argentina are a great team. We know Lionel Messi in one second can decide a match. He has that quality. Then the pass and shot by Angel di Maria.” That was the combination that ended Switzerland’s World Cup and ushered Hitzfeld, 65, into retirement.

“I will go on working for TV,’’ said the German. “I don't lose when I work on TV. I will have a quiet life now. My job as a coach has finished. I'm proud of my career. I've had some marvellous teams. It's been a great honour and I have a heart full of emotion.”

He went on to the field at the final whistle to console his players. “It's normal to walk onto the pitch. I saw it when you [Bayern] lose a final of the Champions League in two to three minutes against Manchester United in 1999. I wanted to thank them for doing something great for themselves, the team and the entire country.